Is your car ready for winter?
Winter weather can be challenging to drivers trying to navigate icy roadways, and it can be equally challenging for your vehicle. Now is the time to make sure your vehicle is up to the challenge.
AAA offers free vehicle maintenance inspections at all area AAA Tire & Auto Centers, where certified service technicians will perform bumperto-bumper checks to ensure tires, batteries, fluids and other important vehicle components are ready for whatever Old Man Winter throws at us. The inspections are free and AAA membership is not required. Batteries can be “cranky” and may not always give a clear warning of trouble ahead.
How much life is left in your battery? A car battery loses a third of its power in freezing weather? Why? Because as the air outside cools, the oil in your car thickens. Parts move slower and your battery has to use more power to turn over and start the engine. If the temperature drops to 0 or below, your battery has only half its power. Scary stuff, right?
Here are a few quick tips on how to avoid that moment when you turn the key in the ignition and nothing happens.
Warning signs
1. Your car doesn’t start immediately, or makes a clicking noise when you turn the key.
2. Your headlights or interior lights are dimmer than normal, or the power windows are working slower than usual.
3. You see stains or signs of corrosion on the battery itself.
4. Your battery is more than three years old.
5. You take a lot of short trips where the car is turned on and off often, or you have long stretches of time (weeks or months) where the car is not used at all.
What you can do
1. Park your car in a garage whenever possible. The less frigid the air is around your car, the better for your battery. If you live in an area with temperatures frequently below freezing, consider buying an engine heater to reduce the power the battery needs to start your car.
2. Turn off your lights, wipers and heater before you turn off your engine at the end of a drive to prevent an unnecessary drain on the battery the next time you start your car.
3. Unplug phone chargers and USB cables for devices such as iPods as soon as you turn off your engine (for the same reason as No. 2).
4. Avoid using your car’s heater longer than you have to; heaters put high demands on your battery.
5. If you see corrosion on your battery, clean it or have it cleaned by a trained technician.
6. If you consistently go two weeks or longer without using your car during the winter, invest in a battery tender to keep the battery charged.
7. If you plan on not using your car for an extensive period of time during snow season, it is important to turn it on every 6-12 hours and let it run idle for 15-20 minutes so that it reaches operating temperatures. This provides current to the battery, allowing it to regain its charge.
One last thing: Carry a winter emergency kit in your vehicle that includes warm clothing, gloves, hat, etc. Also always carry a full-charged cellphone and charger when you leave home.